Posts Tagged ‘All in All the Time Foundation’

On August 28th, weather permitting, Sgt Brett Sobieraski, a 27 year member of the Rochester Police Department and a team leader on SWAT as well as an endurance athlete who has completed ultra marathons, 100 mile runs, and a double Iron Man, will attempt to swim 32 miles across Lake Ontario. He will start at Fort Niagara and finishing at the Port of Toronto. He is doing this to raise awareness and money for Navy Special Warfare families. In 2005 a team from the Navy Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) spent a week training in the Greater Rochester area. The Rochester SWAT Team assisted them by securing training facilities and became good friends with two of the SEALS, Master Chief Petty Officer Mark (last name withheld) and Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas “Tommy V” Valentine. The following year their SWAT Team had the privilege of being invited to spend a week at a Navy base in Virginia. They were one of only 10 SWAT Teams ever invited to utilize their facilities. Mark’s and Tom’s influence has had a lasting effect on that SWAT Team to this day.

On February 13, 2008 Tom died during High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) parachute training in Arizona at the age of 37, while preparing for his 10th deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a father, son, brother and husband. He was also one of the most humble and genuine people Sgt Sobieraski says has ever met. Shortly after his death the All In, All The Time Foundation was established in his honor. The foundation fills the interim needs of surviving spouses and children of fallen Navy Special Warfare warriors. The short term and long term needs have been met through various organizations. It’s the in between needs, i.e. legal fees (wills, estate management fees, ect,), household and auto repairs, counseling assistance (outside of the military chain) and any other emergency that may arise when the head of household has been killed or injured. The foundation alleviates some of the financial burdens that arise days, months or years after the funeral.

Sgt Sobieraski has answered his top six most frequentky asked questions about the swim here:

1. Why? – Why the hell not! I was sidelined for a little after a 100 mile ultramarathon in April and began increasing my swimming sessions. Many years ago I spent a summer on the Lake Ontario and have always wondered if it was possible to swim across it. Another draw is that quite honestly I’m not 100% sure I can do it.

2. Will I be using any swim aids?- No fins allowed. I will be wearing a sleeveless wetsuit, swim goggles, American flag swim cap and a waterproof IPod with 18 of my favorite running songs on it.

3. How long with it take?- My best guess is between 20 and 22 hours. Using the front crawl (freestyle), my swim pace is roughly 32 minutes a mile. I have to factor in fatigue as well as pit stops (treading water) for eating and drinking. My plan is to start at 5:00 pm on August 28th. The lake tends to calm down at night and this will also limit my sun exposure the next day.

4. Has it been done before? I have found 54 documented swims across Lake Ontario. The first was done in 1954.

5. Will I be alone?- Hell no, I’m a little crazy but not stupid. The plan is to have a larger boat for carrying my crew and supplies. I will also have a kayaker next to me to help keep me swimming straight.

6. What’s the longest I have swam?- 7.5 miles has been my longest training swim.

Please consider donating to this very worthy cause. 100% of the proceeds go towards supporting these families. By donating you are honoring Tom and keeping his sacrifice, and the sacrifices of all his fallen brothers, at the forefront of America’s conscious. The worst thing we could do is forget the sacrifices of American heroes.

You can donate by going directly to their website aiatt.org/donate and donate with a credit card (please put “Brett’s Swim” in the specific event box. This fund was established and is administered by Tom’s widow Christina. She knows firsthand the needs of surviving families.

Pitti was born in the East when Germany was still divided and grew up to serve in the German Navy. He came to the United States in 2007 for a military exchange program. He fell in love with America and never left, gaining his green card. Currently, he works in sales at S&S Precision.

For 15 years, Pitti has competed in triathlons including five Iron Man iterations as well as over 30 other events. This time, he’ll be competing in the Maryland Cambridge Iron Man on Oct 3rd. In addition to the thrill of competition, Pitti will also raise funds and awareness for the All In All The Time Foundation. His other goal is to not let Drew down.

Although always in training, he’s had his sights on this regional qualifying Iron Man since January. Pitti admitted to being “Addicted to working out”, and currently participates in one major event per year to provide purpose for his efforts.

He reiterated several times that he was not doing this one for himself and he’s said that it’s made the training easier. Plus, he’s 40 now. He knows what he’s done wrong in that past and what works.

But there’s something more. Pitti recently read a book that has seriously influenced his training philosophy. He read, “Natural Born Heroes: How a Daring Band of Misfits Mastered the Lost Secrets of Strength and Endurance“. He not only has taken inspiration from this book, he has given copies to friends. He spoke with me about it, “It’s a natural born lifestyle…in our DNA. We were made for a time when you couldn’t just pick up a Snickers, you had to fight for it. You couldn’t eat four times a day.” To learn more about what Pitti was talking about, you’ll have to read the book, but I’ve got to say, it seems to be working. I’ve known Pitti for years but never seen him this lean, or focused. He told me that he is the same weight as when he was a young man starting out in the service. If there is anything personal about this race, it’s that he wants to realize his goal of qualifying for Hawaii.

When I asked if there was anything he wanted to add, he said, “I want to to thank S&S for allowing me to train hard.” Pitti isn’t alone in his commitment to this cause. Drew from S&S said that his arms are getting tired from giving massages every day.

The All In All The Time Foundation, was established in 2008 as a tribute to the memory of Senior Chief Tom Valentine by his wife Christina Valentine. Their purpose is to fill the interim needs of the surviving spouses and children of our fallen warriors. Needs such as Legal fees, wills, estate management, household and auto repairs, counseling assistance (outside the military chain) and critical, immediate non-standard support categories.

All In strives to fill in the gaps by addressing the in between years. While this foundation can never replace these heroes, they work very hard to alleviate some of the burdens faced when a family has lost their provider.

It is abundantly clear Christina Valentine’s only desire is to run this organization and to serve her community and nation, with honor and integrity, just like Tom did.

Hillier Ignite is proud to stand with and support an organization so passionate about engaging the needs of spouses and families who find their lives forever changed by tragedy. It is our honor to present The All In, All The Time Foundation the 2015 Warrior for Warriors Award, and a check for $25,000.

The All In All the Time Foundation was founded in 2008 by Christina Valentine, the surviving spouse of Special Operator Senior Chief (SOCS) SEAL Thomas J. Valentine, who served at Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG). Tom died in a training accident in February 2008 during his 18th year of service. Originally established as a golf tournament the objective has always been to fill the immediate and interim financial needs of the surviving spouses and children of fallen, injured and active SEALs and support personnel.

In 2015, the All In Foundation plans honor the heroes of Operation Red Wings. They will commemorate the 10 year anniversary of this horrific event with a $10,000 grant or scholarship in honor of each of the fallen heroes. Many of the community’s larger benevolent organizations were just starting with Operation Red Wings happened and unfortunately their benefits are not retroactive. Christina has taken it upon herself to go back to those families who didn’t receive assistance and provided respite care.

The All In Team will have two big fundraising efforts at Shot Show. Stop by the S & S Precision booth 8206 to see the custom 2 Vet Arms rifle being given away. Text “tommyv” to 80888 for a $10 donation entry. You may enter as many times as you like. Drawing will be Thursday at 4:30 at the S & S Booth.

With the options in the 7.62/.308WIN market, the 2VA-10 line of rifles fills the void between affordability and quality without sacrificing the reliability or accuracy that is demanded with today’s hunters and shooters. With sub-moa accuracy as a starting point, blending ergonomics, adaptability and value we feel this rifle is a can’t miss.

AIATT will also be participating in Beyond Shot – Tattoo artists from Tatlantis Las Vegas will be set up at the event Tuesday from 5-10 and Thursday from 12-7. Proceeds from tattoos will go to the All In Foundation with 100% being donated to families of Naval Special Warfare.

It was a warm, clear morning on Saturday, June 28th at Academi Training Center, Moyock, North Carolina. At 0930, a shot rang out from the 600 yard line of Range T10, the first shot made towards a commemorative target meant to honor each US Navy SEAL and member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Attachment lost during Operation Red Wings.

For the 9th anniversary of Operation Red Wings, a retired SEAL friend of ours who previously worked on the 911 for 9/11 project decided to take a similar approach to honoring Operation Red Wings. A Chinook helicopter was traced onto a black target, and over the course of the morning 19 shots representing each servicemember lost was taken. Additionally, three of the shots made that day were taken by members of three of the SEAL members’ families:

GM2 (SEAL) Danny P. Dietz was represented by his wife Patsy Dietz

ITCS (SEAL) Daniel R. Healy was represented by his son Jacob Centeno-Healy

ET1 (SEAL) Jeffery A. Lucas was represented by his wife Rhonda Lucas

The weapon used during the shoot was a Mk 12 SPR, which was specially chosen for the shoot: 3 Mk 12s were utilized during Operation Red Wings by the SEAL teams. Also, the use of the 5.56 round from the 600 yard range required a greater deal of focus and dedication to effectively mark the target.

This was the view from the 600 yard mark. The target was situated underneath the ‘4’ position, and the traced Chinook strike area encompassed roughly a fourth of the total target.

The finished target is being sent to Ellwood T Risk to be turned into a piece of art in the same vein of the 911 for 9/11 piece. The finished art will be auctioned live Memorial Day weekend 2015 in Rosenberg, Texas, at the 3-day Danny Deitz Memorial Team Roping, Auction, and BBQ event. Reprints of the original will be able to be ordered before then and will be available through the Tommy Valentine Memorial “All in All the Time” Foundation. The prints will be produced in Hampton Roads, with all profits benefiting the Navy SEAL Foundation, helping to fund a 10th Anniversary retreat for the surviving families of the servicemembers lost on Operation Red Wings.

One of the charitable endeavors currently being supported by the All In, All The Time Foundation is the upcoming Operation Red Wings Memorial Workout. Patsy, the surviving spouse of Danny Dietz, is organizing a crossfit workout to raise awareness and funds. The workout is open to any gym who wishes to participate on June 28th. Email orwmemorial@aiatt.org for more information. Additionally, you can also text tommyv to 80888 to make a $10 donation.

Join Smith Optics and S&S Precision for the 2nd Annual Gelande Quaffing Championship being held Wednesday, May 21st in Tampa, Florida – Dock Slip in front of Jackson’s Bistro. Teams for the competition must consist of four members, all over the age of 21; costumes are not only welcome, but will also help teams in gaining points. The contest is international, so everyone is welcome, although participants must be willing to drink “…weak a** Yank Beer”. Last year, Team Mystery Ranch took the championship in strong fashion, and are likely hungry for a second victory, so all participants better bring their A-game.

If you’re attending, be sure to bring a bit of cash as there will also be a silent auction for some great gear, with the proceeds going to support the All In All The Time Foundation.

Not sure what this whole Gelände Quaffing thing is all about? Read this and then check out the video.

In 1986, the skis were skinny and the snow was fat, during a 14 foot storm, the infamous underground crew of the Jackson Hole Air Force was going stir crazy in the Bear Claw Café, waiting for the mountain to open. In those days the bartender would send a freshly filled beer mug sliding down the bar to the patron who ordered it. One fateful night a beer mug slid off the end of the bar, took air, was caught seconds before a glass shattering catastrophe, and promptly pounded. Gelände Quaffing was born. Apres’ ski competitions followed, testing the unique skills of all who entered, and provided exciting entertainment for all spectators. But somewhere along the way Gelände Quaffing was lost and the après ski spirit forgotten.